Nationally Recognized Accrediting Agencies and Associations Criteria and Procedures for Listing by the U.S. Commissioner of Education and Current List.

Bureau of Higher Education (DHEW/OE), Washington, DC.

Accreditation in the United States is a unique device of voluntary, nongovernmental, peer evaluation for the certification of institutional and program quality in education. The functions, procedures, and types of accreditation, the role of the U.S. Office of Education, and the National Commission on Accrediting are briefly described. Detailed information is given concerning procedures and criteria for recognizing bodies as nationally recognized accrediting agencies and associations. A list of 41 accrediting agencies and associations is included, and 13 agencies and associations are identified for their preaccreditation authority. To facilitate determination of eligibility for federal assistance, specific criteria for recognition and a list of accrediting associations for nurse education programs are included. (CH)